Posted on 06/27/2007 11:35:12 AM PDT by bad company
Virginia motorists convicted of minor traffic violations will face a new, multi-year tax beginning July 1. Led by state Delegate David B. Albo (R-Springfield), lawmakers slipped a driver responsibility tax into a larger transportation funding bill signed by Governor Tim Kaine (D) in April. Albo, a senior partner in the Albo & Oblon, LLP traffic law firm, can expect to see a significant increase in business as motorists seek to protect their wallet from traffic tickets that come with assessments of up to $3000 in addition to an annual point tax that tops out at $700 a year for as long as the points remain.
"The purpose of the civil remedial fees imposed in this section is to generate revenue," the new law states. (Virginia Code 46.2-206.1)
Driving as little as 15 MPH over the limit on an interstate highway now brings six license demerit points, a fine of up to $2500, up to one year in jail, and a new mandatory $1050 tax. The law also imposes an additional annual fee of up to $100 if a prior conviction leaves the motorist with a balance of eight demerit points, plus $75 for each additional point (up to $700 a year). The conviction in this example remains on the record for five years.
Other six-point convictions include "failing to give a proper signal," "passing a school bus" or "driving with an obstructed view." The same $1050 assessment applies, but the conviction remains on the record for eleven years.
Although the amount of the tax can add up quickly, the law forbids judges from reducing or suspending it in any way. The tax applies only to Virginia residents, so that out-of-state motorists only need to pay the regular ticket amount. Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Texas also impose a somewhat more modest driver responsibility tax which they apply to out-of-state residents.
The Virginia Supreme Court provides a full explanation of the new penalties for each traffic infraction in the 34k PDF file at the source link below.
>>>>>You’re a fellow Californian - you know full well that slowing down to 85 mph on I-5 and I-15 makes you into Public Nuisance #1 in the eyes of other drivers. ;)
Yep, but they don’t wear a badge.....
>”driving with an obstructed view.”<
What the???
Oh great, do I now risk financial ruin for having my GPS stuck on my windshield?
Amateurs!!!
Here in Detroit (home of the first urban freeway as well as home of the auto) we have a freeway (I-696) commonly referred to as the autobahn. If you are driving 85 mph, you better be in the slow lane. Ten feet apart? Maybe at 3:00 AM. Ten inches apart is more like it.
NO! I don't!
Over and blessedly over again *wipes eyes* I'm saying that to say "AS LITTLE as 15mph" is STUPID because what is the point? As little as 15mph means 20mph is ok. Not great, but ok. So, you're only speeding of you're going oh, 30+ mph over the speed limit. In other words, AGAIN, what is the point of having the speed limit if 15mph is seen to be such a insignificant infraction? I REPEATEDLY said the fine was ridiculous. Lay off, pal.
I
I have that bumpersticker. Right next to “Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore....”
Sorry,
I’m a little ruffled on this one. It’s easy to pick up 15 over and easier for the points to accumulate. It aso disgust me that the village idiot republicans inserted this into the bill.
Just about one step away from dragg’in them out of the car and SHOOTING them for speeding...
A $3000 fine would exceed the VALUE of some peoples car.
>AS LITTLE??? On a highway marked 70MPH, AS LITTLE would be 85MPH. That’s just stupid.<
And in a 15 mph zone, that’s THIRTY MILES AN HOUR.
That’s just stupid, and it’s flat out thievery.
Maybe Virginia isn’t a place I should consider living in the future after all.
Sounds like a mini-Massachusetts.
Actually, you said that you thought a $3550 fine was ridiculous just once - but I missed that and I apologize.
And I - and judging by the people I share the road with everyday, most people - don’t consider 15 mph over the limit a terribly big deal. Now, the guy I know that got busted doing 100 mph in a 50 mph zone, on the other hand...
got a $1,000 fine, 1 month license suspension, and 6 points on his license. Certainly enough to discourage him from getting caught again, if not from doing it at all. He was on a motorcycle, and I’ve done the same thing on mine, on deserted rural roads - but he was in a much busier area with heavier traffic and driveways and such.
The next couple of election cycles will answer THAT question.
Frankly, I'm a little disgusted that commenting on the absolutely ludicrous statement "AS LITTLE AS 15MPH over the speed limit" -that I would think that 15mph is not "a little" over the speed limit, that perhaps ENFORCED laws might be the better part of valor, that perhaps a bit too much SLACK has been given here kind of like the immigration laws which is why NONE of these laws are observed let alone obeyed, would result in a parade of antler bumping and being dogpiled with insulting posts from NASCAR wannabes. Who was to know?
Gentlemen.
That's not breaking the law, that's natural selection. This is stupid, though. As so many have said, this punishment doesn't even come close to fitting the "crime."
How the heck did we let this get past us, ping...
Sic Semper Leadfootus
It’s your transportation “compromise.”
The GOP was practically giddy.
Do you honestly believe all interstates have a speed limit of 70 mph? Get rid of your CA rose colored glasses. VA does not repeat NOT have a speed limit of more than 65 mph, and that is only on some interstates. Most major highways are 55 and that includes some interstates, including the VA portion of I-495 around DC. It has long been a felony to be caught going 20 mph over the speed limit regardless, and the points stay for 11 years.
Part of the problem is Ex-governor Warner let the WaPO goad them into raising the tobacco tax and they are losing that revenue also. IT IS ALL ABOUT MONEY.
OB
>It’s your transportation “compromise.”<
For goodness’ sake, bring the stupid “car tax” back. These laws are going to be impossible to follow.
It’s a BOHICA compromise. This little snake Albo is a piece of work:
“Led by state Delegate David B. Albo (R-Springfield), lawmakers slipped a driver responsibility tax into a larger transportation funding bill signed by Governor Tim Kaine (D) in April. Albo, a senior partner in the Albo & Oblon, LLP traffic law firm, can expect to see a significant increase in business as motorists seek to protect their wallet from traffic tickets that come with assessments of up to $3000 in addition to an annual point tax that tops out at $700 a year for as long as the points remain.”
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